Muten Natsu looked at the hesitant Ririn in confusion. "Is it that big of a problem?"
"Ah... um... it's just..." At this point, Ririn couldn't exactly say what she was really thinking. "Even if that's what you want, Soul Society wouldn't cooperate with you, would they?"
"Actually... they might," Muten Natsu analyzed calmly. "Toshiro and the others coming here already shows Soul Society's stance. As for Central 46, Nayura Amakado should cooperate with my actions as well. When it comes to anything combat-related, Kenpachi Zaraki will definitely go. As Captain of the 11th Division, he has certain privileges and can act without orders. I don't particularly like Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but as Director of the Research and Development Institute, he'd never pass up a chance to enter Hueco Mundo for research. He doesn't care about orders from above either."
"And Captain Unohana of the 4th Division," Ririn added, following Muten Natsu's train of thought. "If you're going into danger, she'll definitely come with you."
Invading Hueco Mundo was not a matter of bringing as many people as possible. If every captain charged into Hueco Mundo at once, it would be disastrous if the Arrancar took the opportunity to attack Soul Society.
With those three captains, even if they could not eliminate the danger completely, they could at least ensure a safe retreat when necessary.
"Mm..." Orihime Inoue's arms tightened slightly around Muten Natsu's arm. "Don't... Muten... There isn't any food here yet..."
Ririn stared silently at Muten Natsu.
It was all his fault that Orihime Inoue was becoming less and less innocent.
Muten Natsu looked completely innocent. He could hardly be blamed for whatever Orihime Inoue dreamed about.
"Too... too much!" Orihime Inoue opened her eyes. "Jam!"
Her small face was bright red, and her large, watery eyes were blank for a moment before slowly closing again.
"So it was just a dream..." Holding Muten Natsu's arm, Orihime Inoue rubbed her cheek against him, her voice muffled. "I thought... Muten?"
Her eyes, which had only just closed, snapped open. Orihime Inoue tilted her face up to look at Muten Natsu. "You... you're awake!"
"Thanks to your healing." Muten Natsu pulled his arm free and stroked Orihime Inoue's head. "My Reiatsu will recover slowly. You don't have to push yourself so hard."
"This is all I can do..." Orihime Inoue subtly tilted her head. Muten Natsu's hand, which had been stroking her head, landed beside her ear instead. Feeling the warmth of his palm against her ear, her earlobe flushed slightly. "So I want to do it better."
"That's hardly 'all'..." Muten Natsu casually pinched Orihime Inoue's warm ear. "You've already done very well."
"Ah..." Orihime Inoue let out a suppressed cry as if she had been burned. Her already flushed face instantly turned vivid red. "N-no... not really..."
Muten Natsu copied Retsu Unohana's manner and gently rubbed Orihime Inoue's ear, hoping it would help calm her down. "Captain Unohana and Hachi both said your ability is unique and exceptional. Healing itself is already a rare talent, and yours isn't ordinary healing."
"Mm~" Orihime Inoue's voice wavered uncontrollably, and her fingers unconsciously clutched the corner of Muten Natsu's pajamas.
"If someone like you, who can save others, still feels inferior about her ability, then someone like me, who only knows how to hurt others, would be so ashamed I'd have to kill myself."
"No!" Orihime Inoue immediately grew tense and grabbed Muten Natsu's hand. "You can't..."
"I was only saying it."
"That's still not allowed." Orihime Inoue stared earnestly into his eyes. "You can't say things like that... I know. When you hurt others, it's to protect me... and Rukia."
"Wasn't I supposed to be comforting you?" Muten Natsu was speechless. "How did this turn into you comforting me?"
"Because you're comforting me, so I should comfort you too." Orihime Inoue tentatively reached out. When she saw that Muten Natsu did not resist, her fair fingertips gently touched his ear and copied the way he had rubbed hers just now.
She watched Muten Natsu's face. If he seemed uncomfortable, she would pull her hand back at once.
Instead, she saw Muten Natsu relax and narrow his eyes.
The sunlight was warm, making his skin look almost translucent. His long lashes and soft hair were edged with a faint golden glow.
Like a lazy cat basking in the sun.
Orihime Inoue pressed her lips together, then parted them slightly.
Muten looked... so obedient right now.
It felt like she could do anything to him and he would not mind.
Then...
Ririn felt it was probably time for her to leave.
"Muten." Hearing Orihime Inoue's voice from inside the room, Rukia Kuchiki knew she was awake. The porridge was ready too, so she came over to remind them. "The porridge is..."
Seeing the scene on the bed, Rukia Kuchiki's voice paused. "It still needs a little longer..."
"Ah!" Orihime Inoue pulled her hand back as if she had been shocked and sat up in bed. "I'm... I'm so hungry!"
She got out of bed in a fluster, even putting her slippers on the wrong feet. "I remember there were some side dishes in the fridge..."
"Really?" Rukia Kuchiki withdrew her gaze. "I didn't notice."
"There should be..." Orihime Inoue followed Rukia Kuchiki out of the room. "I made some before, but they were kind of in the way, so I put them farther inside... Let me see... Here!"
Orihime Inoue found the pickled plums she had made in June, along with some radishes and cucumbers.
Plain white porridge, paired with all kinds of side dishes, immediately became much richer in flavor.
The three of them finished the entire pot, a light sheen of sweat forming on their noses.
"Oh, right." Muten Natsu, sprawled on the sofa, looked around. "Where's Rangiku?"
"She went out this morning," Ririn replied. "She's probably with Hitsugaya, visiting Madarame and Ayasegawa."
"Then they should be at Urahara's shop right now." Muten Natsu sorted through his plan in his mind. "I have an idea..."
He planned to go to Urahara's shop and refine the plan with Kisuke Urahara, so he first gave Rukia Kuchiki and Orihime Inoue a brief outline.
After listening, Orihime Inoue fixed Muten Natsu with a determined gaze. "Then I'm going with you too!"
Muten Natsu had known it would come to this. Just as he was about to say something, Rukia Kuchiki spoke first.
"No!"
Her voice was far too serious, even a little harsh.
Orihime Inoue stared at her blankly, blinking in confusion. "I can't?"
"Absolutely not!"